Drawing the Skull as a Work of Art (Online Course)
Dale Zinkowski
Mondays, 2 PM – 4 PM ET – please adjust for your timezone
OR
Mondays, 6 PM – 8 PM ET – please adjust for your timezone
January 25, February 1, 8, (no class Feb 15), 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2027
Plus over 8 hours of recorded demos. Access provided at least a week before each live class session. There is a homework assignment due the first class.
8 weeks- Tuition: $575
Limit of only 5 students per section.
Offered Once a Year
Important:
- Artists receive critiques during their scheduled live class session but they receive access to all class recordings.
- Demos are pre-recorded and access provided a week in advance of each live class.
- Students will submit their potential composition/set-up for the first class. Instructions provided a week in advance.
Take this class:
- to refine both your block-in skills and your manual rendering techniques
- to explore the structure and composition of the skull
- to work with multiple drawing mediums
- to explore your compositional artistic vision with the skull as your primary subject
Is this class for me/ prerequisite?
- Prior GCA block-in experience is recommended
- Some prior experience rendering is recommended
Class Format Notes:
- Pre-recorded demos are distributed weekly. The first demo is distributed the week before the first live class. Homework is due on the first class.
- 2 hour live critiques class.
- Students work on their weekly assignment outside of class time.
- Every online class is recorded.
- Critiques are only given during the live class time.
- Attendance at every live class isn’t mandatory.
- Absentee students can still submit their work at least 15 minutes before the live class starts and the instructor will critique the work during the class. The critique will then be viewable in the recording.
- Students receive access to the class recording within 24 hours of the class finishing. The recording gets posted into the google classroom.
- Access to the recordings is available for the duration of the class plus an additional 30 days. There are no extensions.
Class Tech Needs:
- The critique portion of the class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience.
- The critique sessions are recorded and made available so students can review critiques after each live session for the entirety of the class.
- The demos are pre-recorded and shared via private links on YouTube. You will need a YouTube account to access the videos and share the email address associated with the account with Admin.
- This class also uses Google Classroom to share resources. Watch this video for more insight.
- All of these services/platforms are free but require registration.
- It will be necessary for students to have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. The recommended device is a laptop or desktop for the live portion of the classes.
“Dale is a gifted artist and teacher in so many ways. Not only does he have command of the technical aspects of art making – but he also demonstrates the human side of what it takes to be a great artist. He is sensitive to the needs of all of his students, he is warm, friendly, welcoming and is always inclusive. He even acknowledges the “fuzzy friends” in the room as it is clear that Dale is an animal lover. From a technical aspect, Dale is extremely knowledgeable about materials, process, art history – this is evident when one observes his “masterful work”.” – Alexandrea
Course Description
The human skull has been appearing in works of art throughout history, in drawings and paintings we can find beautiful depictions of this anatomical wonder. Artists have used the power of observation to not only satisfy their curiosity of anatomy, but also create a work of art that delivers on their ideas surrounding the world.
In this 8 week course, participants will devote careful study to the human skull, at the same time create a drawing that is not only informed, but stands on its own as a credible work of art. Each week will include a lecture component covering anatomical landmarks on the skull, as well as historical references, and will finish with an instructor demonstration covering techniques of drawing, from blocking-in, proportion, and modeling. Various mediums will be discussed, as well as different approaches to form modeling. It is encouraged that students have access to a skull, in order to draw and observe from an actual setup.
Note: Students will be sent a pre-recorded demo, zoom and google classroom links the week before the first class. Students should watch the demo and work on the first assignment and submit it into the google classroom anytime up until an hour before the live zoom class session.
Each subsequent week students will be provided a pre-recorded video that demos the next week’s assignment. Students will submit work up until an hour before their assigned live zoom class session. During the live sessions, Dale will lead a group discussion, provide individualized critiques, and open up opportunities for Q&A.
